It has been more than six years since the first mile of the Spanish Moss Trail was developed – and now with 10 miles of the Trail being enjoyed by more than 40,000 people a year, the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail (FSMT) have their sights on a new project that promises to be one of the most visible and scenic recreational experiences in Beaufort.
“After a year of conducting a viability study, we are excited to announce we are working with the City of Beaufort to develop a 1.2-mile connection that allows both visitors and residents the ability to safely and scenically move between the Spanish Moss Trail and downtown Beaufort,” said Dean Moss, Founder and Executive Director of the FSMT.
With that mission in mind, the FSMT have built significant community support by spending this past year brainstorming and advocating for this project, not only with the City, but with community leaders, downtown merchants, homeowners and partners in the hospitality and tourism industry. The FSMT have also collaborated, once again, with the PATH Foundation of Atlanta to create a plan for this formal connection from the Trail to the historic residential, shopping and restaurant district in Beaufort.
“Currently, there is not an obvious,easy or safe way for pedestrians and cyclists to navigate between the Trail and downtown Beaufort,” said Moss. “In addition to providing a safe connection, we believe this section of the Spanish Moss Trail will be one of the most spectacular waterfront paths in the Southeast and a recreational centerpiece for everyone to enjoy.”
The FSMT and City are moving forward with the design and engineering phase of this project to develop the precise alignment that willprovide a half mile of unobstructed views of both the Beaufort River and some of the most beautiful and iconic antebellum homes in the Lowcountry. This path will run along Bay Street and Depot Road – from the intersection of Charles/Bay Streets to the Depot Road Trailhead of the Spanish Moss Trail. The FSMT would now like input from the community on a name for this waterfront path.
“We want the entire community involved to help us name this beautiful section of the Trail,” said Sissy Perryman, FSMT Public Awareness and Development Director. “We have launched a month-long community-wide brainstorming session and we invite everyone to send us their ideas.”
The FSMT’s goal is to choose a name that conveys its unique landscape and Lowcountry identity. The community is encouraged to send their ideas to info@spanishmosstrail.com over the next several weeks. The name will be revealed in the spring.
For more information or to donate to the Spanish Moss Trail visit SpanishMossTrail.com or download the free Mobile App called The Spanish Moss Trail Mobile Guide (available on Apple Store and Google Play).The Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization led by community-minded individuals who are dedicated to improving the quality of life in Beaufort County by advocating for the development, enhancements and maintenance of the Spanish Moss Trail.
Join the Community-Wide Brainstorming Session To Name the New Trail! Send Your Ideas To:info@spanishmosstrail.com
